Blackstone Raids 2009: A late review

To start, this was my third Blackstone Raids and I really had a great time at the ones before. I really had to think through my feelings about this years event. It was hot which has not been the case in my past two years there. Did this affect the way I felt about the event. I like the concept of the SCA but I hate the politics and the attitudes of the people that try be be important in the society because they have little outside of it. Was this an influence on how much disappointment I felt at the end of the event? I really had to consider these things and talk with the people I fought along side to see if I was seeing things in some kind of skewed way.

In the past two trips to Blackstone Raids it happened that I fought on the side of AEthelmearc. The fighting was great and people were taking their shots. The Middle was aggressive and and lines clashed and it was fun. AEthelmearc won most battles both years. I figured numbers were off because of home field advantage. I noticed very little rhino hide either of those first two years.

This year Atlantia split its forces due to numbers. Well since I was fighting with a mercenary group we were part of the force that went to the Middle Kingdom. Great I get to fight with the people I have fought against the past two years. Now I get to see the other side. I wonder if it is like this for them every year? Why do they continue to return to this event if it is? Like what you ask?

Let me start by saying that I may hit light for an Atlantian. I discussed this with a few of the people I regularly fight with and the say I hit hard enough and that some times I can hit harder than they would like. I understand that sometimes you are not sure in a melee if it was a shot or spear shaft that hit you. All that taken into account I have to question the honor of a large majority of the people we faced. One fighter left himself open while attacking a fighter to my right. I hit his helm and shoulder four times solid. I then hit his helm slightly to the back and he dropped to a knee. I figured he was dying until he tried to thrust at another fighter so I hit his sword arm and he looked up at me like he was wondering what I was doing. Was he clueless about melee fighting and thought he was only engaged with the person in front of him? Was the whole AEthelmearc army on that bridge that clueless? It was like that most of the time. Almost no one wanted to take a shot. The field battles were as bad. A fighter got around our line and hit my shield arm at the inside of the elbow really hard and said "You don't have to take that shot we were not engaged." Thanks, so you now want me to fight when my arm is numb and I can't use my shield? Honorable move Sir ShitHead.

So, a shield man closes on a spear man and they hold the spear vertical in front of them butt end on the ground and say nothing, have they yielded? No clue, so I put a light'ish rap to their helm. No response no defense. I put a second harder rap to their helm, no response. A third rap that moves their head and no response? I am confused people I am fighting with are confused. The rest of their group is dead. Suddenly I take a shot from a spear to my kidney from the back right side. Not engaged but I am pissed and walk off the field. The spear I was engaged with or what ever it was, joins the new line to continue fighting. I was told that they were hit several more times with no acknowledgment until another spear man chocked up on their spear and drove the person to the ground. I did not know we played immortals in the SCA.

Two of our guys were called dead for walking of the end of the world in a field battle. Next battle same marshal, a line of AEthelmearc fighters walks off the edge of the world to flank our group in front of the marshal; we yell to him and he says to them move back, they ignore him and he lets it go. Where is the honor?

That is how the fighting went. Why does the Middle bother to return year after year. Is it like that for them every year. Was this just a really odd and strange year? I had to take time away after that. Now, I plan to do three events then work on projects over the winter. I don't know if I will return to Blackstone Raids again.

Highlight - Had a nice Mexican dinner with friends at the Cozumel restaurant.

Celt Wars 12

This past weekend was Celt Wars 12. Not really an SCA event, just a large group of friends getting together for an extended fighter practice and a weekend of camping. It was a great event as always.

This was the first time I had armored up since the Storvick Baronial Birthday event last year. I was slow and not at all on my game. Oona on the other hand came out rocking with the spear but was taken out of the game early by a nasty shot to the arm just above her elbow. I managed to stay in the fighting to the bitter end. And since I was slow I kept sticking my sword arm out to be hit. All in all a good day of fighting.

A quick video clip of Oona and her magic with the spear.

After the fighting there was a nice cheese and "juice" tasting, then a pot luck dinner. Followed by lots of talking and laughing by the fire. There was also some fine bardic entertainment.

Always a great time.....

Highland River Melees - event recap

So, I have been slow putting up my blogs of events. I am a lazy bastard and get around to these things in my own sweet time.

Highland River Melees was great as usual. It was hot. I stayed in my helmet longer than I should have and I did not drink enough water. I was wreked at the end of the day and most of the next. It affected my fighting too.

There was a great showing of the Bog Troopers and we had 4 fighters from Preachain there. The fighting was great. Field battles, village hut battles, 5 men melees and a limited front battle. The limited front was the killer in the heat.

Like I said, a great event as always. We did, as we usually do, hit the road right after the fighting was done. We were tired and starving and looking foward to a nice cool shower.

Oona and I went home showered and had, what is becoming the traditional meal after a local day trip event, dinner at Guapo's. And we all know that you must have Margaritas when you have mexican food.

So, thats my story and I am sticking to it.

Photographs by Ursus of Anglesey

Upcoming event - Highland River Melee

So, next weekend is Highland River Melees and there has been a lot of buzz about the event. Why this has happened is beyond me but the word going around is that the fighting is Crusader vs Middle Eastern and you will not be allowed to fight if your kit is not of a correct style for one of these persona.

Well, I heard this and had to get the information varifief for myself. It appears the information is false. You can fight in what ever rig you have as long as it passes inspection.

Here is the information I got on tribe from one of the people working on the event.

On the message boardtribes » Cultures & Community » Atlantia » topics » Highland River

Ondraedan wrote:
Re: Highland River MeleesYesterday, 3:59 PM
"Our theme this year, Europe and the Middle East from 1066 to 1291 (the fall of Acre)" "The Baron, Baroness and populace welcome all those who are English, French, Italian, German and other Europeans as well as their Byzantine and Middle Eastern contemporaries!"

I have heard fighters will not be allowed to participate on the field of battle if they are not armored in a middle eastern or crusader persona. Is this true? There are some of us that just heard of this and do not have the time to create new garb or change armor and some just don't have the funds to make garb for multiple persona.


Glynis wrote:
Re: Highland River MeleesYesterday, 6:54 PM
This is absolutely untrue and is a vicious rumor sparked by those who don't know better. Please spread the word that fighters may fight in whatever they fight in, so long as it abides by Atlantian/Society/Etc. rules. I'm a non-fighter so I don't necessarily know what those rules are, but there is DEFINITELY no rule about not being allowed to fight because your armor doesn't fit in.

Nor will you be kicked off site if you show up in 14th century garb, or Elizabethan, or Italian Ren, or a kilt.


Tarkhan wrote:
Re: Highland River MeleesYesterday, 7:53 PM
Could also just be individuals confused about the proposed Crusaders Vs. Saracens battle at Pennsic 36?
www.legiodraconis.com/modules.php


So, that is the story. Come and fight with the kit you have.

Blackstone Raids XVI --- Part 2

Well, back to my tale of fighting in the far off lands of the Barony of Blackstone Mountain in the kingdom of Æthelmearc. Wow, that is a mouth full. So, where was I?

Oh, that’s right we were on the bridge. The last battle was a 15 minute unlimited resurrection battle. You can really tire yourself out in 15 minutes. I fought the whole time without a break except for the walk to res. Going back in I would look for the place that needed a shield or a weak spot to push in the enemy line. I met up with a shield man from the Barony of Black Diamond. And we went to the line together and made a charge. A really nice guy. I did not get their names but we chatted for a bit after the bridge battles. It was the former champion and current champion of the barony. So that was how the bridge battles went.

Now for a 25 minute rest. Oona has gone to get out of armor and planned to shop. I asked her to get my camera for me since she was going past the room. Now, do I fight the next battle? What is the next battle? The story was either a town battle or the usual mine battle. We are there to protect the Blackstone mines. Well, which ever it is to be the way the bales are set up it looks like a meat grinder fight. Not my favorite and I have had a good day so, off with the armor. As I am walking back toward the lodge I see Oona coming back to the field with my camera. I dropped my stuff and took some pics the off to shopping.

So, we head straight to the Dancing Pig. Amber was not there because she was home making more stuff. Bran and Cian were there though. Cian was out on the battle field for the field battles. I was glad he got a chance to fight. Bran was as cheerful as always. So, the object is to buy Oona another cup because you need more than one. I have a china cabinet full myself. Well, Dancing Pig discontinued a design but replaced it with two new designs and some new glazes. You really should check them out. I had to buy a new smaller whiskey jug because I don’t really drink anymore but it is nice to have some on hand to share. Besides the glazing on it was great. Oh and we bought a few other things. Did I mention, they have new designs and glaze colors? I was debating a couple small crow pattern bowls to use for shot glasses or little tea cups. I could not decide and when we went back for them they were gone. I guess that is my punishment for not being decisive.

Bran took the pictures of Oona and me when we returned to find the bowls gone. We also made a tour of all the venders but did not find anything that caught our eye. So, we stood around for a bit talking cameras and other things with Bran. Then Cain introduced us to a gentle from Atlantia. He introduced us as more Atlantian thugs. Now mind you I keep my mouth shut to not offend people but it opened on its own and the words just popped out, “I am not an Atlantian Thug, I am a Bog Trooper Thug.” I guess it came across as rude which was not the intent. The gentle lifted his nose and turned away. Cain, I am sorry for offending your friend. I forget I live in a kingdom with a populace that expects all to kneel to the crown. Not a very historically accurate view of life in the middle ages. This will not be my last “bad barbarian” moment of the evening.

Oh, I need to skip back. Before we went back to Dancing Pig and the photo shoot, we had gone to town for refreshments for the evening and to get some dinner. I have never attended an SCA feast and I did not want to start in a place where I knew no one. I don’t understand the removes and I might eat with the wrong knife or finger or something.

Well, as I saying, we wnet to town and bought some barley pop and stopped for dinner. We decided to eat at “Cozumel Mexican Restaurant” The food was good but they made the worst Margaritas we have ever had the misfortune to drink. They tasted like paint thinner. You have been warned. After dinner we went back and showered and well spent some private time in the room. Then we got all dressed up and went out for a stroll and stopped by the Dancing Pig. You remember that bit from two paragraphs up.

So, after the stroll through the market we went back to the room to refill our refreshments and drop off the camera. Then it is back to our strolling. Feast was breaking up as we passed the hall. We gave greetings to people as they passed and talked to each other. As we went along not really noticing who was passing we hear from a group “Hello”. It was a blond gentle wearing a ring with points on his head. Being the good person I am I returned the greeting with a nice “Hello” and Oona gave a wave. This prompted laughter from the group as they passed. After looking through pictures on the web I think this may have been the king of Æthelmearc. Not really sure but its more than likely. Bad barbarian, bad…….. I say this in jest because I am from a civilization that is known for its trading centers. I am just a little earlier than the Society likes and though we have Kings and warlords they are in a democratic position where the people can oust them if they are bad at the job. Also, in the 6 years I have been doing this I have never done court or that other stuff. I can not tell one pointy hat from another. Maybe I will try to learn.

So, we walk the whole place wondering what to do. People were gathered in groups all over the place but not knowing anyone made it hard to attempt to talk with any of them. Remember how I said all the people on the field were nice and friendly. This seamed to change in the evening. It happens at all SCA events. The groups and people become less accepting of strangers after dusk and even get rude. So, we figure we will go to the bardic circle when it gets going. So, we head back to the room for more refreshments and to hang out until things get going.

Well, we head out to the circle and it is starting to rain and there are only a few people there. We then decide to just call it a night since we were tired and no friends to really party with.

So, we get up on Sunday morning and head home. The drive was un-eventful and we lived so I can tell this tale. I hope it was an enjoyable read.

We will return next year and hopefully with a war band.

Celt Wars

It has taken me a couple weeks to get around to writing about this event. It is one of the best weekend events anywhere. It is not an SCA sanctioned event. There are no politics or an over abundance of rules. It is invitation only and we fight based on SCA rules without all the whining and complaining. People are responsible for themselves and their honor and they live up to it. In the whole day, fighting a dozen or more battles, there were two holds. The first one because someone's knee fell off their armor and one for something I forget about now. Granted it is a small event but just perfect.

My thanks, to the organizers of this great event. Always fun!

Medieval Sword Fighting and how it relates to SCA Heavy Combat

So, after several years of SCA fighting in wars and clan events I decided to take it a little more seriously. I decided to treat it like a sport instead of something I do for fun once in a while. I don't fight tourney and since I started attending practices I have found that there is much to learn. I decided to supplement what I learned from people at practice with personal research and training. The reason being, I don't want to just learn what the people I am training with want to teach. I want to develop a style of my own that has a period feel but can give me an edge over the people who just fight with what they were show at SCA practices.



There appear to be two basic styles common among SCA fighters. I am not sure of the proper terms for the styles since I have heard many names for the same styles. It seems that information from Duke Paul of Bellatrix is very popular. I was given a CD with his training web page on it. I will probably use some of the information he gives. Then there is "Trompe L'oeil 2nd Edition (Trick of the Eye) Advanced techniques in SCA combat Second Edition" Written and illustrated By Duke Sir Patrick Devilin Of DarkWrath Keep. I have not read this book and have not found anyone that has read it. I can't justify $55 dollars for a book that I can't get reviews on and is not distributed by a retail publisher.

So, SCA Heavy Combat evolved as a sport and not a martial art. The players learned things that worked for what they were playing, with little or no research into period fighting fighting styles. The research into Medieval Western European martial arts has grown and there are several books available on the subject.

I am going to give my opinions on three that I have read or attempted to read. My review is how these books relate to SCA Heavy Armor combat and not as a scholarly work. These are also my opinions and we all know that "opinions are like ass holes, every has one and they usually stink."



Starting with my favorite first.

Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods and Techniques


Publisher: Paladin Press; 1 edition (October 1, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581600046
ISBN-13: 978-1581600049


This book has information on shields and weapons of the period. It covers stance, blocks and attacks. Most illustrations are shown with a round center grip which I find to be great. There is a section on training and pell work. It translates well to SCA fighting. I really think this is a great book.





Medieval Sword & Shield: The Combat System of Royal Armouries MS I.33

Publisher: Chivalry Bookshelf (February 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1891448439
ISBN-13: 978-1891448430

This work is a translation of the MS I.33 manuscripts. The information is good but not well presented and there are problems with the way they interpret the foot work. The concepts are good but all illustrations are with buckler and you have to figure out how to use the information with the type of shield with which you fight. It can be translated into usable information for SCA Heavy Combat but would probably be great for a fencer. It is an OK piece of work. There is definitely usable information.





English Martial Arts



Publisher: Anglo-Saxon Books (September 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1898281297
ISBN-13: 978-1898281290

Fencers have at it. The information here is how to fight more than sword and shield work. The information does not translate well to SCA fighting. Example, You can not step on your opponents weapon in SCA combat and you can not kick your opponent. A descent book but not good for the SCA fighter.


I hope some of this information was of use.